1985 vs. now: How holiday shopping has changed over 40 years
Deloitte has tracked holiday shopping trends for 40 years. See how tech, traditions, and consumer habits have evolved since the mall days of 1985.
Holiday shopping has transformed dramatically since Deloitte began tracking these retail trends in 1985. What started with families piling into cars for mall trips has evolved into a complex omnichannel landscape where consumers seamlessly blend online and offline shopping experiences.
In Deloitte’s 2025 Holiday Retail Survey of 4,000 US consumers, 68% say they plan to use digital tools for holiday shopping, yet they still expect to spend 44% of their budgets in brick-and-mortar stores. From the 1980s to today, shoppers have continuously adapted their behaviors while maintaining core holiday traditions.
Kristine Riisberg, tax principal with Deloitte Tax LLP, shares key insights from our latest holiday retail survey, revealing how consumer behavior has shifted while the holiday spirit has remained timeless.
Watch the video to learn more.
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